Media Release: KNP Achievement Awards

For the eighth year in a row, the Kruger National Park (KNP) presented achievement awards to its top camps, gates, ranger stations, departments, regions and staff at the 2006 KNP Achievement Awards function in Skukuza tonight (Friday November 17, 2006).

For the eighth year in a row, the Kruger National Park (KNP) presented achievement awards to its top camps, gates, ranger stations, departments, regions and staff at the 2006 KNP Achievement Awards function in Skukuza (Friday November 17, 2006).

“This is our attempt to honour those members of our staff who have excelled during the past year or who have given excellent service to our guests over a long period of time,” said KNP Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize.

Other awards were also presented to various people and organisations who received the Director’s Special Awards and from Total SA for the camps with the top-performing filling stations.

The 2006 KNP Achievement Awards were the first to be broadcast live on local radio stations Ligwalagwala FM and Munghana Lonene FM. SAfm radio personality Mr Ike Phaahla acted as the programme director and the guest speaker was Mr Desmond Golding, the Deputy Director General: 2010 in the Mpumalanga Premier’s Office.

The KNP has three regions, 12 main camps, five bush camps, 22 ranger posts and about 1 900 SANParks appointed staff members.

Region winner: Nkayeni Regional Manager Mr Isaiah Nyakane received the award for the Best Region of the Year from SANParks Chief Operating Officer Mr Sydney Soundy.

The Department of the Year Award went to Veterinary Wildlife Services. Dr Markus Hofmeyr received the award from SANParks Chief Operating Officer Mr Sydney Soundy.

The Camp of the Year Award went to Berg en Dal Rest Camp. Here the present Hospitality Services Manager Mr Stephen Nel celebrates this achievement with the first camp manager Mr Willie Ackermann. Mr Ackermann was manager at the time of the camp’s opening in 1984.

Just no stopping Biyamiti! A team effort resulted in Biyamiti scooping the Bushcamp of the Year Award and a team effort was needed to receive the award from SANParks Chief Operating Officer Mr Sydney Soundy. The team are, from left, Solomon Sithole, Ezekiel Manyathele, Sonika Lambrechts (hospitality services manager) and Orpa Sithole.

After only a year of operation, the Kruger National Park’s Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility scooped the Entrance Gate of the Year Award. Here Gate Official Themba Mnisi and Hospitality Services Manager Kagiso Tlhobolo receive the award from SANParks Chief Operating Officer Mr Sydney Soundy.

Ms Sue Eber not only received an individual “Outstanding Service in the Workplace” Award, but also scooped an “Executive Director’s Excellence Award” from the KNP’s Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize.